TR Air-Force TF-X KAAN Fighter Jet

[Angry Turk !!!]

Kaan roadmap
P1 first flight very likely in September (August 30 is included)
P2 Q4 2026
P3 Early 2027

As I said earlier, delays are due to subsystem integration



The logic is we will conduct the first flight when the fighter is ready. For example, Tusas doesn't want to use the initial flight and mission computers that were on the P0 for the first flight of P1. There are a ton of decisions like that. It can fly tomorrow with the P0 hardware and configuration.

P4,P5,P6 will be in serial production configuration for block 10 they might be the first delivered fighters in 2028. P4,P5,P6 is expected to fly in the second half of 2027. The first delivery of block 10 will be in 2028 there is no change.

Engine road map
2026 PDR will be completed closing meeting will convene soon
2026 CDR will start
2027 Technology demonstrator
2028 Q1/Q2 CDR will be completed
2028 Mature Prototype( it will be produced in parallel with the CDR progress and will be ready when CDR phase is finished)
2029 Q4 mechanical integration
2030 Q4 ground/taxi/flight tests
2032 Q4-2033 Q1 Delivery of the first serial production Kaan block 30 with TF35000 engines.

Do you have an idea on how good the Turkish subsystems will be? Like compared to the subsystems of an F35 for example.

 

[TheInsider]

Do you have an idea on how good the Turkish subsystems will be? Like compared to the subsystems of an F35 for example.

Overall it will be similar to F-35 block 4. Raw capability of radar will be better; F-35 doesn't have a dedicated IRST and DIRCM, F-35 EOTS will have a secondary IRST capability in that regard. F-35 will have more mature software and sensor fusion. F-35s EOTS and DAS might have an edge. IMHO Kaan will have better or similar MuM-T capability. F-35 will be more stealth as F110 engines doesn't have RAM coated ceramic nozzle that F135 has.

 

[Angry Turk !!!]

Overall it will be similar to F-35 block 4. Raw capability of radar will be better; F-35 doesn't have a dedicated IRST and DIRCM, F-35 EOTS will have a secondary IRST capability in that regard. F-35 will have more mature software and sensor fusion. F-35s EOTS and DAS might have an edge. IMHO Kaan will have better or similar MuM-T capability. F-35 will be more stealth as F110 engines doesn't have RAM coated ceramic nozzle that F135 has.

Sounds pretty good to me, and with the later Blocks it will only get better.

 

[Holikarbon]

Overall it will be similar to F-35 block 4. Raw capability of radar will be better; F-35 doesn't have a dedicated IRST and DIRCM, F-35 EOTS will have a secondary IRST capability in that regard. F-35 will have more mature software and sensor fusion. F-35s EOTS and DAS might have an edge. IMHO Kaan will have better or similar MuM-T capability. F-35 will be more stealth as F110 engines doesn't have RAM coated ceramic nozzle that F135 has.

Is it possible to subsequently coat nozzle segments with ceramic or to produce new segments coated with ceramic?

 

[IC3M@N FX]

Overall it will be similar to F-35 block 4. Raw capability of radar will be better; F-35 doesn't have a dedicated IRST and DIRCM, F-35 EOTS will have a secondary IRST capability in that regard. F-35 will have more mature software and sensor fusion. F-35s EOTS and DAS might have an edge. IMHO Kaan will have better or similar MuM-T capability. F-35 will be more stealth as F110 engines doesn't have RAM coated ceramic nozzle that F135 has.

I know this sort of thing is rarely disclosed, or maybe top secret?

Will it have multiple AESA modules – i.e. at the front of the radome, on the sides of the radome, on the wing and at the tail? For 360° Radar coverage?

The Americans and the GCAP consortium are working on a concept called ‘Smart Skin’, in which AESA modules are integrated into the Airframe.

What configuration will the propulsion engine have? 3 fans, 6-7 high-compression stages, and 2 low-pressure and 2 high-pressure turbines?

I ask because, although two high-pressure and two low-pressure turbines make the engine heavier, they also make it extremely efficient, improve the engine’s fuel consumption, optimise pressure equalisation and increase power generation for the subsystems.

Parameter	3+7 \mid 2+2 Architecture Impact	Engineering Reason
Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC)	5–8% lower vs. 1-HPT designs	Higher turbine isentropic efficiency across stage pairs
Electrical Output Capacity	High (200 kW+)	Extra torque reserve on the HP shaft
Compressor Stability	Excellent	Resists RPM droop during sudden electrical spikes
Thermal Stress	Moderated	Lower required temperature drop per turbine stage

 

[2033]

A total of 20 block 10s will be delivered in 2028-2029-2030
Deliveries of block 20s will start in 2030 (2030-2031-2032) 20 block 20s will be delivered
A total of 40 Kaans will be delivered between 2028-2032

Internal weapon bay tests will start in 2028. Block 10s will be delivered with deactivated internal weapon bays.
Block 20s will have internal bay capability, more weapon integration, better software and sensor fusion and better MuM-T capability. Block 10s will be upgraded to block 20. Block 20 will be the first version to declare FOC in 2032 (Final operational capability)
Block 30 will see big changes: national engine, some kind of DEW (directed energy weapon) new generators and improved power generation&distribution, more weapon integration, new software & enhanced sensor fusion, enhanced MUM-T, a new RAM coating, a new radar is also on the agenda.

It really looks very ambitious. Do you think these will be completed on time? Especially the DEW and MUM-T concepts will be a first in the world

 

[I_Love_F16]

Quiet disappointed about the deactivated IWB for the Block 10’s.

 

[Pokemonte13]

Quiet disappointed about the deactivated IWB for the Block 10’s.

I don't know if you can really say deactivated because its about time. Based on this timeline they will not be able to complete weapons integration and testing for the IWB thats why the first block is going to be a test and training squadron. Similar to KF21

 

[2033]

Quiet disappointed about the deactivated IWB for the Block 10’s.

It’s always better to improve things as you go; if you chase perfection, you just waste time

 

[Saithan]

IWB is an important part of KAAN if it wasn't they should have made it without. It should work as a minimum to drop less complex munition.

 

[TheInsider]

There is not enough time to complete both external and internal weapon testing before the delivery in 2028. It is a race against time. TUSAS has around 2 years to deliver the first block 10.

I know this sort of thing is rarely disclosed, or maybe top secret?

Will it have multiple AESA modules – i.e. at the front of the radome, on the sides of the radome, on the wing and at the tail? For 360° Radar coverage?

The Americans and the GCAP consortium are working on a concept called ‘Smart Skin’, in which AESA modules are integrated into the Airframe.

What configuration will the propulsion engine have? 3 fans, 6-7 high-compression stages, and 2 low-pressure and 2 high-pressure turbines?

I ask because, although two high-pressure and two low-pressure turbines make the engine heavier, they also make it extremely efficient, improve the engine’s fuel consumption, optimise pressure equalisation and increase power generation for the subsystems.

Parameter	3+7 \mid 2+2 Architecture Impact	Engineering Reason
Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC)	5–8% lower vs. 1-HPT designs	Higher turbine isentropic efficiency across stage pairs
Electrical Output Capacity	High (200 kW+)	Extra torque reserve on the HP shaft
Compressor Stability	Excellent	Resists RPM droop during sudden electrical spikes
Thermal Stress	Moderated	Lower required temperature drop per turbine stage

There will be nose and cheek radars (%100 confirmed). I heard conflicting rumors about aft radar. Some say there will be 360 degree radar coverage including aft radar, some say it is optional and some say there won't be an aft radar. Nose radar will have a huge aperture (I'm guessing aperture size might be 4x compared to Murad), double the T/R modules and each module will have double the power compared to Murad. So the max output power will quadruple.

IMHO TF-35000 will have 3 stage fans, 6 stage compressor 2 LPT and 2 HPT but that is my educated guess. We will likely learn in 2027.

 

[IC3M@N FX]

There is not enough time to complete both external and internal weapon testing before the delivery in 2028. It is a race against time. TUSAS has around 2 years to deliver the first block 10.




There will be nose and cheek radars (%100 confirmed). I heard conflicting rumors about aft radar. Some say there will be 360 degree radar coverage including aft radar, some say it is optional and some say there won't be an aft radar. Nose radar will have a huge aperture (I'm guessing aperture size might be 4x compared to Murad), double the T/R modules and each module will have double the power compared to Murad. So the max output power will quadruple.

IMHO TF-35000 will have 3 stage fans, 6 stage compressor 2 LPT and 2 HPT but that is my educated guess. We will likely learn in 2027.

In my opinion, this is the only sensible engine configuration: it solves all the problems associated with an engine – in terms of fuel consumption, service life and range – whilst also providing reserves in terms of power generation.
The only drawback is the weight, which is, however, offset by the lower number of HPC stages compared to the F-110. The only thing I would really like to see would be a bypass ratio of 0.45:1 with a simple VCE, which would allow the bypass ratio to be increased to a fixed total of 0.90:1 – in other words, not an ACE, but the precursor to it.

That would increase the range by 15–20% whilst drastically reducing the infrared signature in Stealth Mode. Unfortunately, this will remain a pipe dream.